Multi-functional clothing wrap and method of use

ABSTRACT

A functional and fashionable wrap for wearing by a mother, such as a button-down sweater. The wrap includes features for wrapping a baby for breastfeeding, consoling, or merely carrying. The wrap includes additional features, such as: pockets conveniently located on front and back deep enough for bottles, phones, monitors, pacifiers, and other accessories; grosgrain ribbon loops on each shoulder to attach teethers, pacifiers, and baby toys; connectors on both sides to wrap baby for warmth and/or holding support; flexible, stretchy fabric to wrap baby for back support; and a front opening which allows easy access for nursing mothers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a clothing wrap and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a multi-functional clothing wrap for wear and utility by mothers' babies.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many mothers may struggle to some degree with carrying, caring for, and breastfeeding babies, especially colic babies or otherwise difficult babies. Currently there is no efficient, fashionable clothing item to help facilitate with these necessary tasks of a mother.

Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for a multi-functional clothing wrap with the advantages and features of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a functional and fashionable wrap for wearing by a mother, such as a button-down sweater. The wrap includes features for wrapping a baby for breastfeeding, consoling, or merely carrying. The wrap includes additional features, such as: pockets conveniently located on front and back deep enough for bottles, phones, monitors, pacifiers, and other accessories; grosgrain ribbon loops on each shoulder to attach teethers, pacifiers, and baby connectors on both sides to wrap baby for warmth and/or holding support; flexible, stretchy fabric to wrap baby for back support; and a front opening which allows easy access for nursing mothers.

The wrap compliments standard baby carriers and doubles as a nursing cover, meaning one less item the mother must carry with her. A preferred embodiment would come in multiple fashionable styles.

The preferred embodiment includes four elastic members on each side of the left and right drapes. This is designed to allow for connection of the elastic members on the inside and outside of the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a typical orientation.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof shown in an open orientation.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof shown being reconfigured to a support orientation.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view thereof shown in a support orientation.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view thereof showing sectional line 6.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view about the line of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I. Introduction and Environment

As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.

II. Preferred Embodiment Multi-Functional Clothing Wrap 2

Referring to the figures in more detail, FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the multi-functional clothing wrap 2. Primarily, the invention is a wrap for a mother to wear. The wrap may or may not have sleeves, but should have an open front created from a right side wrap 4 and a left side wrap 6, joined by a back portion 22, to allow access to the inside 8 of the garment. At least one front pocket 10 may be included for storing of baby toys, bottles, a smart phone, or other accessories and items.

A button 12 may be located on one or both sides of the garment. One button 12 would be located on the exterior of the garment, and one on the interior 18. An elastic member 16 is used to connect to the buttons 12, 18 for use when carrying a baby as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The buttons and corresponding elastic member 16 help to wrap one side of the garment around a baby and attach to the other side of the garment.

Generally, one interior button 18 will be connected to the opposing interior side via a selected one of the elastic bands 16 of the opposing side, such as hooking one of the elastic bands 16 of the right side 4 to the interior button 18 of the left side 6. Then the draped ends 14 of the remaining unhooked left side 6 can be drawn up under and around a child, wrapping them, and using the elastic members 16 can anchor it to the exterior button 12 of the right side 4. FIG. 6 shows how this would function when holding a child, forming a sling-like carrying element 20.

Grosgrain ribbon loops 24 are attached to either shoulder of either side 4, 6 of the garment. These loops allow for holding clips containing common baby items, such as pacifiers and teethers.

It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects. 

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A clothing apparatus comprising: a first side and a second side joined by a rear portion forming a garment, said first side having a first external connector, a first internal connector, and a first plurality of elastic connectors, and said second side having a second external connector, a second internal connector, and a second plurality of elastic connectors; said first external connector configured to be connected to by a selected one of said second plurality of elastic connectors; said second external connector configured to be connected to by a selected one of said first plurality of elastic connectors; and said garment configured to be transformed from a first orientation to a second orientation.
 2. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second orientation comprises said selected one of said first plurality of elastic connectors being affixed to said second internal connector, and said selected one of said second plurality of elastic connectors being affixed to said first external connector.
 3. The clothing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: said second orientation configured to form a support chamber from said first side and said second side, said support chamber configured to secure a body.
 4. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second orientation comprises said selected one of said second plurality of elastic connectors being affixed to said first internal connector, and said selected one of said first plurality of elastic connectors being affixed to said second external connector.
 5. The clothing apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: said second orientation configured to form a support chamber from said first side and said second side, said support chamber configured to secure a body.
 6. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first grosgrain ribbon loop affixed to said first side and a second grosgrain ribbon loop affixed to said second side; and wherein said first and second grosgrain ribbon loops configured to receive a clip.
 7. The clothing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: wherein said first side comprises a first tapered bottom front end; and wherein said second side has a second tapered bottom front end.
 8. A method of transforming a clothing apparatus from a first, worn orientation to a second, support orientation, the method comprising the steps: connecting a first elastic connector of a first side of the clothing apparatus to an internal connector of a second side of the clothing apparatus, wherein said internal connector is affixed to an internal face of said second side, and wherein said first and second sides are connected via a rear portion, thereby comprising a garment; connecting a second elastic connector of said second side to an external connector of said first, wherein said external connector is affixed to an external face of said second side; and whereby said second side end and said second side thereby form a support chamber for securing a body.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps: connecting a plurality of baby accessories to a first and second grosgrain ribbon loop, wherein each of said first and second grosgrain ribbon loops are affixed to a respective one of said first and second sides.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: wherein said first elastic connector is one of a first plurality of elastic connectors affixed to an end of said first side; and wherein said second elastic connector is one of a second plurality of elastic connectors affixed to an end of said second side. 